If nothing else was learned from Tuesday’s Condition of the State address, it’s this – the trifecta of the GOP-controlled legislature was on full display.
A 4% flat tax, a re-employment focus over an unemployment focus with accompanying benefit cuts, and more efforts to move public funds to private schools.
Most of the time I was watching and trying to make sure that was Central Lee’s Trey Wellman sitting next to the Governor. It was. That was pretty cool for us to see and really cool for him to experience.The rest of the time had me talking to the screen.
I wanna say at the outset that I’m more conservative than I’ve ever been in my life. I think it started when Lee and I started our own business. You certainly get an instinct to hold onto the money you earn working 14 and 15 hours a day.
But I’ve never complained about paying taxes at a higher proportion because we’re fortunate to be able to do that.
That’s why I can’t get behind a 4% flat tax.
I have to say I was surprised to hear Reynolds make the proposal. Republicans have been hinting about eliminating income tax in the state. I think Reynolds thinks this might be a better alternative and easier for moderates to swallow in an election year.
She called it a fairer tax. It’s not really, even though it’s routinely presented that way from the right.
Simple math law says if you set a tax rate anywhere between the progressive rates that are in place now, you’re automatically reducing the tax burden of the wealthy while increasing the tax burden of the poor.
Even if there is a certain income limit that is exempt from tax, that limit is probably already in play. And, flat taxes systems usually eliminate mortgage deductions and child care credits. These are tax credits that make it easier for middle and low-income families to be more self-sustaining.
Flat tax systems also typically eliminate tax on investment income i.e. capital gains, interest…